A first-half volley from Denzel Hall proved the difference as Exeter City fell to a narrow defeat at Rotherham United.
Despite creating chances and seeing a late equaliser ruled out for offside, the Grecians’ second-half fightback wasn’t enough to take anything from the New York Stadium.
Gary Caldwell made just one change from the side that beat Peterborough United 3-0, with Danny Andrew coming in to start after signing on deadline day, in the place of the injured Ryan Rydel. There were also spots on the bench for new signings Akeel Higgins and Carlos Mendes Gomes, while former Grecians Cam Dawson and Zak Jules started for the hosts.
First half
Within the first 60 seconds of the game, Joe Whitworth was called into action to defend his goal. A cross from the right was met by Jordan Hugill in the centre, but his header was held down low by the City stopper.
Ten minutes later Whitworth came to City's rescue again when, from a free-kick around 30 yards out on the left, Kion Etete sent a header aimed at the top corner, but Joe pushed it out for a corner which was dealt with.
City began to grow into the game, but after first breaking into Rotherham's box, Whitworth was called into action again. Millers striker Jordan Hugill led a counter down towards City's goal, but pressure from Ed Turns meant he was stuck at a tight angle by the byline, and his attempted dink was blocked out by the Grecians' keeper.
A brief stoppage due to a Millers' injury allowed Gary to reset his troops, and City began to force their way further up the pitch.
After a stoppage for a Millers injury, City began to enjoy more possession and threaten down the left through Andrew. Ten minutes before the break, his teasing cross caused havoc in the Rotherham box: Niskanen failed to connect cleanly, Magennis and Wareham both saw efforts blocked, and Brierley’s follow-up shot ricocheted off a crowd of defenders.
A corner from City's new left wing-back fell at the feet of Fitzwater at the back post and was deflected wide, but just as City were building momentum, Rotherham struck the opener.
Six minutes from the interval, a cross from the right wasn’t cleared, and when the ball fell kindly to Hall inside the box, he swivelled and rifled a volley into the roof of the net to give the hosts the lead.
Second half
Again Whitworth had to be alert early in the half as he had to parry to the goalscorer Hall's shot, before the United player was withdrawn shortly afterwards injured.
That reshuffle allowed City to gain territory and chances, and after shimmying his way down the right Niskanen broke free by the touchline and powered a low ball into the box, but there was no man in white and grey able to tap it home.
Next, a well-worked City corner found Andrew in space inside the box, but his curling effort was batted away by Dawson in the Rotherham net.
Caldwell looked to his bench to find an equaliser, and both Higgins and Mendes Gomes came on to make their City debuts, with Higgins looking particularly bright down the right flank.
But the hosts continued to carry a threat of their own. Jules headed narrowly wide from a set-piece, and Fitzwater produced a superb block to deny Joshua Kayode as he bore down on goal.
As the game entered its closing stages, City created their best chances. Magennis rose to meet a cross from the left and sent a looping header across goal, Cox just inches away from turning it home at the far post.
In stoppage time, it looked as though the Grecians had snatched an equaliser when Magennis slid in to convert Higgins’ low cross, only for the assistant’s flag to cut short the celebrations.
Despite their late pressure, City couldn’t find a way through and returned to Devon empty-handed.
Up next
The Grecians return to St James Park next Saturday as they look to bounce back against Port Vale. Back City and get your tickets now by clicking here!
Rotherham United XI: Dawson, Jules, James, Powell (C), Hugill (Kelly, 85'), Holmes, Kaleta (Spence, 85'), McWilliams (Baptise, 85'), Hall (Kayode, 55'), Etete (Rafferty, 22'), Gore.
Subs: Cann (GK), Yearwood.
Yellow card: Baptise 90+3'
Goal: Hall 39'
Exeter City XI: Whitworth; Niskanen, McMillan, Fitzwater, Turns, Andrew (Sweeney, 80'); Doyle-Hayes, Brierley (Mendes Gomes, 8-'), Aitchison (Higgins, 64'); Magennis (C), Wareham (Cox, 64').
Subs: Bycroft (GK), Francis, Woodhouse.
Attendance: 7699 (380 away)